AP
July 15, 2010
TAIPEI, Taiwan — The United States is seeking to take over two properties in New York and Virginia owned by former Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian and his wife, who were convicted in Taiwan on corruption charges last year.
The U.S. Justice Department filed complaints Wednesday in New York and Virginia alleging part of $6 million paid in bribes to Chen’s wife, Wu Shu-chen, was used to purchase an apartment in Manhattan and a house in Keswick, Virginia.
According to the complaints, Taiwan’s Yuanta Securities Co. Ltd. paid the bribe to ensure its bid to acquire additional shares in the island’s Fuhwa Financial Holding Company Limited would not be blocked by authorities.
“A portion of these bribe proceeds were then transferred … to the United States and used to purchase a condominium in Manhattan” and a house in Virginia, the complaints allege.   more …
